Sunday, April 20, 2008

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.. - The ETSU Buccaneer men's tennis squad is heading to the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year. The top-seeded Bucs overpowered No. 2 Stetson, 4-0 Sunday afternoon at the ETSU Tennis Courts to capture their second straight Atlantic Sun Conference Championship.

The Bucs (22-3) secured the doubles point after victories at the number two and three doubles positions. Lisandro Picardo/Daniel Isaza struck first for ETSU with an 8-3 win at number three, and Sebastian Serrano/Enrique Olivares consolidated the point with an 8-5 victory.

In singles action, and early injury to Stetson's Gokay Celik at No. 6 forced his retirement and extended the ETSU lead to 2-0. Tournament MVP Olivares put the Bucs on the verge of their second A-Sun Championship with his 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 1 singles, and Lisandro Picardo clinched the ETSU victory 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4.

The Bucs now await their selection to the NCAA tournament’s field of 64. The selection show will air on Tuesday, April 29.